1st
With tips for mobile workers and digital nomads
FUKUOKA
Fukuoka is Japan’s startup capital and the country’s gateway to the rest of Asia. Boasting top-level infrastructure and a pleasant environment, the prefecture is also noted for its vibrant and welcoming community of entrepreneurs, tech professionals and investors.
01
Start the day with seafood
From 7am at Fukuoka restaurant Itookashi you can enjoy a ‘luxury bowl’ of tuna, salmon roe and sea urchin; or if you prefer, a set meal of grilled fish or sashimi.
Itookashi 1-C
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Things to
do
Go for a run
Ohori Park, at the heart of Fukuoka, is a great place for runners as well as those looking for a tranquil place to relax. The circumference of the pond at its centre is about 2km, making it perfect for a pleasant morning jog.
04 Shopping
Get stuck into sourdough
A bakery tucked away in the beautiful coastal town of Itoshima, Okuzoe Seipan uses organic flour, salt and water in its top-notch sourdough bread. Don’t get there too late – they always sell out. Okuzoe Seipan 1-C
03
Sightseeing
Experience animism
The three shrines of world heritage site Munakata Taisha are among the oldest in Japan, and they are a good place to learn about animism – the idea that plants and inanimate objects possess a spiritual
05 Shopping
Be a bright spark
At Fukuoka’s Tsutsui Tokimasa Toy Fireworks factory craftsmen carefully make each sparkler by hand. You can try your hand at crafting your own at a workshop, or have a drink at the nearby inn.
and West Park
Sightseeing
See the spousal rocks
Sunsets are spectacular at Sakurai Futamigaura in Itoshima, which features a beautiful white torii gate and, behind it, the Meoto Iwa (‘husband and wife rocks’). The happy couple are best spotted during the summer solstice, when, rather romantically, the sun sets right between them.
07
Sightseeing
Go retro
The restored and reconstructed Moji Port Retro Area in Kitakyushu is a waterside historical gem, offering a trip back in time to the turn of the 20th century, when the port flourished as a key transportation hub.
Moji Port Retro Area 1-C
08 Things to do Ride the red bikes
Distinctive red Charichari bikes are available to hire in Kyushu cities including Fukuoka, Kumamoto and Saga. Anyone can use them by downloading the Charichari app, and e-bikes are also available.
While Fukuoka’s food stalls can be relied upon to whip up superb renditions of the city’s classic dishes such as tonkotsu ramen, you’ll also find ones serving creative French cuisine or specialising in mentaiko (salted pollock roe).
Fukuoka Food Stalls 1-C
Sakurai Futamigaura 1-C
SAGA
Saga’s historic, near-to-nature hot-spring resorts of Takeo and Ureshino are laid-back and boast both excellent infrastructure and artistic clout, providing an ideal environment for mobile workers in search of a place to rid themselves of distractions. The baths are pretty great, too.
See balloons light up the sky 10
Every autumn since 1980 the skies of Saga fill up with colourful balloons. The Saga International Balloon Fiesta, held between late October and early November, features aerial performances by balloonists from all over the world.
11
Bar Sample Saga’s sake
Saga prefecture has one of the highest sake consumptions in Japan, which helps explain why there’s a bar dedicated to the drink inside JR Hizen-Hama Station in Kashima. Hamabar stocks bottles from all five of the city’s sake breweries.
12
Things to do
Work in a work of art
The beautifully curved walls of Takeo City Library make it a great option for remote workers who appreciate some uplifting aesthetics alongside their power outlets and wi-fi. This stylish library also has a Tsutaya bookstore and a café.
Takeo City Library and Historical Museum 2-B
13
Things to do
Learn about Yayoi life
Visitors can see how people lived during the Yayoi period (opinions vary, but circa 500 BCE to 300 CE) at this archaeological site with 98 reconstructed buildings, as well as workshops in skills such as making stone pendants and lighting fires.
Yoshinogari Historical Park 1-C
14
Sightseeing Climb at the shrine
The Yutoku Inari Shrine in Kashima is believed to bring good fortune in business and matchmaking. The main shrine is accessible by paid lift, but the climb to the okunoin (inner sanctuary) at the peak will require sturdy shoes and lots of energy.
Yutoku Inari Shrine 2-B
Saga International Balloon Fiesta 2-C
NAGASAKI
Nagasaki is a rising destination for digital nomads. The prefecture combines advanced tech infrastructure with a plethora of historic sites and an abundance of beautiful nature.
Sightseeing
Learn about Christianity in Japan
Japan’s oldest standing Christian church, the Unesco-listed Oura Cathedral is well worth visiting for its Gothic-style architecture, stained glass and vaulted ceiling. There’s also an on-site museum about the history of Christianity in Japan.
16
Things to do
Go to a park with a difference
Unique Hiroppa Park was created by Maruhiro, a manufacturer of local Hasamiyaki pottery. There’s an emphasis on art, so there are sculptures and murals designed by Japanese and overseas artists, as well as fantastically innovative kids’ playgrounds.
Hiroppa 2-B
17
Sightseeing
Sail to an abandoned island
Hashima, a Unesco world heritage site also known as Gunkanjima (‘Battleship Island’) due to its silhouette was once a thriving underwater coal mining centre. At its peak, it was home to around 5,300 people, but was abandoned in the 1970s when the coal ran out. Tours are available.
Hashima 2-B
18 Café Eat the famous Toruko Rice
Established in 1925 and famed for its set meals of Toruko Rice – a high-carb combo of rice and spaghetti plus a main dish like a pork cutlet or deep-fried shrimp –Tsuruchan is a Nagasaki institution. The
Oura Cathedral 2-B
©︎ Kenta Hasegawa
19 Leisure
Explore the beautiful bay
Kujuku means 99, but there’s more than double that number of islands here. You can see some of the 208 islands on a boat tour, and less than an hour at sea will drive home the beauty of Kujukushima Bay, the entirety of which is a national
21 Sightseeing Go to the Gotos
Take one glance at the white sands, emerald green sea and bright blue skies and you’ll see why Takahama Beach was named one of the top 100 beaches in Japan by the Ministry of the Environment. It’s one of the most picturesque spots on
20 Restaurant
Take a chanpon pilgrimage
Nagasaki is the birthplace of chanpon, a noodle soup of pork, seafood and vegetables that is popular all over Japan. And one of the best places to sample this warming dish in town is at Shikairou, where a bowl comes with a spectacular view of Nagasaki Port.
Shikairou 2-B
23
Art
Board a bus from a giant fruit
On the coastal road in Konagai you’ll find huge strawberries, melons and watermelons on the side of the road. These are actually colourful and photogenic bus stops (and the fruit, sadly, is inedible), some with benches inside them.
22
Museum
Reflect on war and peace
This museum displays materials related to the atomic bombing of August 9 1945. While a visit is a sombre affair, it’s hard to imagine a more powerful exhibition on the horrors of war and the importance of maintaining peace.
Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum A stylish four-storey wooden building on Iki island, Mokuyon boasts a café, accommodation and a popular coworking space. The nearby beaches are perfectly suited to extra-long lunch breaks.
25 Leisure
Home to the bustling Beppu and Yufuin hot-spring resorts, Oita boasts some of Japan’s top bathing opportunities – and great facilities for mobile workers who place a premium on relaxation.
Paddle through an ancient wilderness
The Yufugawa Gorge is a 12-kilometre-long, V-shaped ravine formed over a period of 600,000 years. Today’s intrepid explorers can get a unique view of this natural wonder by paddling through the gorge in lightweight boats to the enigmatic Mysterious Waterfall.
26 Shopping
Go ceramic shopping in a historic village
Step into this historic pottery village, where kilns have been firing since the 18th century. Recognised as an intangible cultural asset by the national government, Onta pottery pieces make for elegant, everyday ceramics with history.
Onta Pottery Village 1-C
27 Things to do Tour the hells
One spectacular geyser and six hot springs in Beppu comprise the town’s famous ‘Hells’. You can get close to these bubbling wonders via a scenic walking tour or the regular sightseeing bus service.
Hells of Beppu 2-D
Yufugawa Gorge 2-D
28
Sightseeing Hop between animal parks
Just a five-minute walk from Takasakiyama Monkey Park and its wild macaques, Oita Marine Palace Aquarium boasts a tank with sharks and stingrays.
Takasakiyama Monkey Park and Oita Marine Palace Aquarium (Umitamago) 2-D
29
Restaurant Sample a sushi buffet
Saiki’s rich fishing grounds have turned the city into a celebrated sushi spot. At Sendo Ichiban you can enjoy a buffet with up to 30 types of sushi.
Sendo Ichiban 2-D
KUMAMOTO
For mobile workers looking to get things done amidst stunning scenery, Kumamoto checks all the boxes. Make the verdant plains of Aso or gorgeous Amakusa your office for a week or two, and the productivity gains will come.
Fly a dolphin to the dolphins 30
Amakusa Airlines’ ‘Mizoca’ plane, which connects Kumamoto, Fukuoka and Osaka International airports and the Amakusa Islands, is painted blue, with eyes and a mouth, to resemble a dolphin. The cute livery makes sense – the Amakusas are arguably the best place in Japan to spot the friendly aquatic mammals.
31
Café
Sip Aso’s magical milk
In Aso the soil and fresh air help its Holstein cows produce the freshest, creamiest milk. You can sample the good stuff at Aso Milk Factory – as well as cheese, desserts and cakes all made from the milk.
Aso Milk Factory 2-C
32
Sightseeing
Celebrate a legendary locomotive
After 101 years in service the SL Hitoyoshi, Japan’s oldest operational steam locomotive, retired in 2024. The good news is that the beloved tourist train will be on permanent display at Hitoyoshi Station from late November 2024.
33
Sightseeing
See Kumamoto’s manga statues
Monkey D Luffy is a character from the hit manga series One Piece Ten bronze statues of Luffy and several of his pals appear throughout Kumamoto prefecture, in locations most affected by the 2016 earthquake. The statues have become tools for learning about the earthquake and preserving its memory.
Mizoca 3-B
Luffy statue 2-C
©︎Eiichiro Oda/ Shueisha
MIYAZAKI
35
Mobile workers with a passion for riding waves will find Miyazaki an exciting destination. Home to many of Japan’s top surf spots, the prefecture is noted for its seaside scenery. There are also plenty of golf courses in the area.
Sightseeing
Discover the Machu Picchu of Shiiba
Surrounded by forest, Shiiba is one of Japan’s most secluded villages, but one well worth seeking out. Its Hermit’s Terraced Rice Fields have been likened to Peru’s Machu Picchu ruins. On clear mornings you’ll be treated to a view of the fields appearing to float on a sea of clouds.
36 Sightseeing
Boat through a gorgeous gorge
A jade-coloured river winds its way through the steep Takachiho Gorge, which was formed by pyroclastic flows from Mt Aso. Book yourself a boat – advance reservations are essential – and take a trip along the waterway.
Takachiho Gorge 2-D
37 Restaurant
Indulge in some JFC
Nanban, which originated in Nobeoka, is Japanese fried chicken at its finest. It sees delicious deep-fried chicken smothered in a secret sauce to create a crunchy, sweet-and-sour treat.
Nao-chan 2-D
38 Leisure Shoot like a samurai
Shiiba Village 3-D
Here you can try your hand at shihan mato, a traditional local variation of Japanese archery in which arrows are fired from a kneeling or seated position. In the Meiji era (1868–1912) it was a popular pastime among ordinary people.
Obi Castle Archery Range 4-D
39
Leisure
Ride the waves in between work
Hyuga’s dramatic waves have made the town into a surf spot, attracting riders from far and wide. Those looking to work between break breaks head to Stairs of the Sea, a dining and shopping complex that also hosts a coworking space with a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean.
Stairs of the Sea 3-D
40 Shopping
Pick up a unique souvenir
Sadowara has a 400-year history of making dolls characterised by their intricate detail and expressive faces, particularly the cute manju-kui (bun-eaters). Masuya is the last remaining shop dedicated to Sadowara dolls.
Masuya 3-D
KAGOSHIMA
Kagoshima isn’t exactly Japan’s best-known destination for international talent and visitors, but the area’s relative lack of name recognition makes it something of a hidden gem. Travel there on the Shinkansen from Fukuoka before the word gets out.
Sightseeing
Meet the locals on Kyushu’s southernmost island
Although it’s hardly enormous, there are 60 beaches on Yoron, one of the Amami Islands. Water sports can be enjoyed on the clear blue sea, and on land you’ll discover the famous hospitality of the islanders, or yunnunchu
42 Art
See art at altitude
Located on a plateau 700 metres above sea level, the Kirishima Open Air Museum is dedicated to sculptures and modern art. Works by renowned artists can be found inside the main building and scattered throughout its 13-hectare site.
Kagoshima Prefectural Kirishima Open Air Museum 3-C
43 Restaurant
Catch revolving noodles
44
Sightseeing
Meet the magical mailbox
In the city of Ibusuki, famed for its hot springs, the idiosyncratic Tosenkyo Somen Nagashi restaurant lets guests attempt to eat somen noodles while they float around a circular basin filled with cold spring water.
Tosenkyo Somen Nagashi 4-C
The stunning view of the Kaimondake volcano from JR Nishi-Oyama Station, the southernmost train station in Japan, will bring a smile to the face of any weary traveller. Although a yellow postbox there is believed to bring happiness to anyone who uses it, Japan Post’s magical pick-me-up won’t often be required with a view this good.
JR Nishi-Oyama Station 4-C
Yoron Island 4-A
©︎Choi
Jeong Hwa
“You are the Art”
Enjoy the ocean
Zero Gravity aims to open up access to the sea to all. It is one of the few facilities in Japan that cater for everyone, including those with disabilities, to enjoy marine sports, thanks to its specially designed accommodation and boats and expert instructors.
46 Sightseeing Check out the falls Ogawa Falls, located in the upper reaches of the Ogawa River, is 60 metres wide
Zero Gravity 4-A
47 Leisure Bury yourself in sand
Ibusuki locals have been bathing in sand to warm up for centuries. The warmth at the Saraku Sand Bath Hall comes from a natural hot spring, and a short spell being buried is a salve for the muscles.
Saraku Sand Bath Hall 4-C
48
Restaurant
Try Amami’s soul food
A hearty, soulful chicken soup, keihan is synonymous with the Amami region. The broth is poured over rice topped with chicken, shredded egg, pickled papaya and other local specialities.
Amami Keihan 4-A
49
Things
to do Dress like a samurai
At the workshops of Marutake, skilled craftsmen faithfully reproduce the armour and helmets that were worn by samurai. Here you
50 Sightseeing
The unique environment of Yakushima, the first island in Japan to be registered as a World Natural Heritage site, nurtured a host of towering Yakusugi cedar trees, some of which are over 3,000 years old.
Yakushima 3-A
Five things to know about Kyushu
Ramen
Kakuuchi
2
Kakuuchi is the Japanese word for sipping booze in the corner of a liquor store – usually at a counter set up specifically for the purpose. The custom is thought to have originated in Kitakyushu, where factory workers looking for a place to drink after a night shift are said to have made an early-opening local bottle shop their regular. Even today, a significant portion of the liquor stores in Kitakyushu have kakuuchi bars.
Hot springs
Ramen lovers are spoiled for choice in Kyushu. From Fukuoka’s Hakata, Nagahama and Kurume to Kumamoto and Kagoshima, different parts of the island have their own regional styles of the beloved noodle dish. Most of these are made with tonkotsu (pork bone) broth, but each variety boasts its own flavour profile and combination of toppings.
1
3
Volcanoes
There are a whopping 17 active volcanoes on Kyushu, including Sakurajima in Kagoshima, Kumamoto’s Mt Aso and Nagasaki’s Mt Unzen. While these fiery peaks may look terrifying, they are also a source of natural riches from healing hot springs to geothermal energy.
Japan is famed for its hot springs, and Kyushu is home to some of the country’s very best onsen. More hot spring water bubbles forth at Beppu Onsen in Oita than at any other spa resort in Japan, Kurokawa Onsen in the mountains of Kumamoto boasts super-picturesque views, and the water at Saga’s Ureshino Onsen is famed for its skin-beautifying properties. Many resorts offer ‘bath-hopping’ discount tickets that let you soak in the tubs of several inns and hotels for a set fee.
Tea
Wherever you go in Kyushu, you’re never far from a tea field. One of Japan’s largest tea-growing areas, the island produces many prominent varieties of leaves, including Kagoshima’s Chiran tea, Miyazaki tea and Saga’s Ureshino tea. While tasting your way to your favourite, also look for the many tea-based sweets and jams available across Kyushu.
Planning a workation in Kyushu?
Put these hotels and coworking spaces on your list
With its natural beauty, delicious food and healing hot springs, Kyushu is a dream destination for mobile workers and digital nomads seeking to combine work and play. The hotels, coliving and coworking spaces, cafés and other venues on this list, selected by local experts, tick all the essential boxes – comfort, convenience, high-speed wi-fi – while offering a range of inspiring experiences and opportunities to interact with local movers and shakers. From a temp office with an ocean view to a hotel you’d want to make a home of, these spots are sure to both soothe the senses and boost your productivity.
lyf Tenjin Fukuoka discoverasr.com/en/lyf/japan/ lyf-tenjin-fukuoka
The Millennials Fukuoka livelyhotels.com/en/ themillennialsfukuoka
Share Office Salt salt.today
The Company thecompany.jp
Hotel Karae hotelkarae.com/en
Meme Karatsu memekaratsu.com
Wataya Besso wataya.co.jp
Yuttsura Hiroba spa-u.net/facility/ 2022/12/post-173.php Ougiya ougiya.com/us
Colorit Goto Islands colorit.jp
Serendip Hotel Goto serendiphotelgoto.com
Beppu Rojiura gh-rojiura.com/en/index.html
Sunline Beppu sunlinebeppu.com
Space Beppu space-beppu.jp
Office Hood hood-oita.com/officehood
Guesthouse Tsuki Ga Kirei Desune tsuki-chikaken.com
Yuya Suizen matsuyahonkan.com/suizen
Chillwork kumamoto-eminence.com/ chillwork
Mirai Kaigishitsu mirai-k.or.jp
L’isola The Bird lisolathebird.com
KIW Miyazaki Trunk 00 kyushuisland-work.com/ workplace/kiw-miyazaki-trunk00
Fuego - Guest House & Beach Café fuego.co.jp
The Villa Share the-villashare.com
Pleasant Hyuga pleasant-hyuga.com
Stairs of the Sea stairs-miyazaki.com
Nichinan Space space.nichinan.tv
Mark Meizan mark-meizan.io
Souu kagoyui.jp/souu
Iki Dolphin Park & Resort ikiparks.com
Re Sort resortsasebo.com
CoWorkingspace
H.U.B Unzen reshimabara.net/hubunzen Nagasaki
Parallab Amakusa parallab.jp/paraama_guide
Accommodation Coworking space
Airaiku Hotel Kagoshima airaiku.com
Hub Satsuma-Sendai City www.hub-satsuma.com
Fujiya Hostel fujiya-hostel.jp Kagoshima
How to get to Kyushu by air
Haneda
Chubu Itami
Fukuoka
Oita
Miyazaki
Kumamoto
HOW TO GET THERE
One of Japan’s four main islands, Kyushu is located in the southwestern part of the country. Famed for its wild and often breathtaking scenery, the island is nonetheless easy to reach from major Japanese cities such as Tokyo and Osaka.
A flight from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport to Fukuoka takes 2 hours, while the trip between Osaka and Fukuoka can be covered in 80 minutes. Direct Shinkansen bullet train service to Fukuoka’s Hakata Station is also available, with the train ride from Tokyo lasting just under 5 hours. From Osaka, the bullet train speeds to Fukuoka in only 2 and a half hours. The Shinkansen is an especially convenient option if you’re travelling from Kyoto, which doesn’t have an airport of its own.
Once you’re in Kyushu, rail travel is the way to go: train connections are plentiful, with Shinkansen service from Fukuoka toward Nagasaki and all the way down to Kagoshima. For a leisurely journey, consider exploring the diversity of local train lines crisscrossing the island.
MAJOR AIRPORTS
South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, China, Philippines, Hong Kong
RAILWAYS
For more tourist information, visit www.visit-kyushu.com/en facebook.com/onsenislandkyushu @welcomekyushu FOLLOW US
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Published November 12 2024
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Publisher
Hiroyuki Fushitani
Executive Vice President
Akiko Toya
Editorial
Project
Editors
Ili Saarinen
Shiori Kotaki
Contributor
Yuko Ota
Design
MASUDA KOHBOH Inc.
Map Proofing
Heibonsha Cartographic Publishing Co.,Ltd
Administration
Momo Ando
Collaborators
Tsunagaru Inc.
On the cover
Takachiho Gorge
Editors
Marcus Webb
Matthew Lee
Writer
Masataka Ito
Photographer
Kisa Toyoshima
Map
Works-Press
Special Thanks
Kyushu District Transport Bureau “100nokoto” PT